A new taskforce and funding boost aim to address safety concerns and inequalities in NHS maternity care across England.
This morning (17th March), Wes Streeting revealed a new national taskforce has been set up to improve safety in NHS maternity and neonatal services.
The group, chaired by the health secretary, aims to tackle ‘deep-rooted inequalities’ and act on recommendations from an independent investigation led by Baroness Amos, which is due to report in June.
In a statement published today, Streeting said: ‘I ordered an independent national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services to make sure families harmed by maternity care get the truth and accountability they deserve.
‘Baroness Amos will deliver on this vital work this June but to deliver truly meaningful change – so that other families do not face the ordeals too many are already enduring – we must be ready to act swiftly.’
Comprised of 17 experts, some of the members involved in the taskforce include:
- Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England
- Gary Andrews, family representative
- Helen Cheyne, professor of maternal and child health research at the University of Stirling and professor of midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives (Scotland)
- Avey Bhatia, chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives
- Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Alongside the announcement, the government confirmed an additional £25m for NHS trusts in England to improve maternity care.
This includes £9m to upgrade bereavement facilities for families who experience baby loss and £11m to strengthen triage services for pregnant women and new mothers with complications.
A further £5m will support the rollout of a national maternal care bundle aimed at tackling leading causes of maternal death.
Helen Gittos, a family representative on the taskforce, said: ‘No one can be in any doubt about the scale and seriousness of the problems in maternity services. I look forward to working with Wes Streeting to ensure that the changes that are so urgently needed are properly implemented.
‘I hope the professional bodies concerned will come together to bravely, boldly and decisively take the decisions that will create services that women can trust.’
Separate data from the Care Quality Commission shows in 2024/25 around 67% of maternity units in England were rated as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’ for safety. What’s more, severe failings at trusts like Shrewsbury and Telford involved over 1,500 incidents of harm or death.
‘Every woman and baby deserve safe, compassionate care during pregnancy and birth, and the very best start in life,’ Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said. ‘Although NHS maternity and neonatal teams work incredibly hard to support women and families every day, we know there is more we must urgently do to improve care and experience.’
Image: Cameorn Steele/UnSplash
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